National Republican., 1887-09-05
Mount Vernon Ayenue.

Inc ITSt practlcal step mas Decn taken
towards securing the immediate construc-
tion Of Mount Vernon avenue. A meeting
has been called for the 18th of September, at
the room OF the Real Estate Title Company,
in Alexandria, at which will be present
numbers of leading citizens from Washiug-
ton, from Fairfax county, and from the
city and county of Alexandria.
This grand work, suggested by the Ma
TIoNAL REPUBLICAN, will be speedily
completed, and will be the grandest ma
tional highway In the world. 1t is pro-
posed that the avenue shall be one hun
dred and fifty feet wide-twenty.lve feet
on each side for parking-and that
each state and territory shall have ap-
portioned to II four hundred yards-or
nearly quarter OF mile-where 1t will
plant as shade trees specimens of native
growth, erect marble tablet with the
neme Of the state, It's coat of arms, and In
the case of the original thirteen, the names
OF the signers of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, together with such statuary ia
bronze or marble as the state shall chose to
erect.
1t is further proposed that the original
thirteen states shall have choice of the
ground commencing at the tomb OF the
great leader, who both In peace and war,
is ranked as "first in the hearts Of his coun-
trymen," and that the other states and ter
ritories secure the next plats In the order
of their creation as states and erection into
territories.
For a little over two miles from the
A,t, hriA thn ,,,in
through ground belonging to the United
States, the Arlington grounds, which will
always be used as national cemetery,
military depot, and park, and 1t is as
sumed that the government will not hesi.
tate TO make and beautify its portion OF
Mount Vernon avenue in the very best style,
and place the parking, care, aud maiuten
sLte Of the trees furnished by 1t and the
states under control OF the department OF
agriculture, providing and locating on It's
part If the avenue, as it undoubtedly would,
the bronze or marble statue of every Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
states-tne product Of the genius and skill
OF the very best artists.
Every state Will take pride In seeing that
its portion Of the avenue Is handsomely
provided, first with its best trees, and then
with the bronze or marble statue OF its
most notable citizens, so that the fourteen
miles from the capital to the tomb will be one
grand highway lined with the monuments
Of the great men of the nation, enbowerel
in shades such as the originals rested under
when In life.
The route over which the avenue will
pass is historic ground. From the mansion
that was the home OF Washington, the
traveller will pass over the route which he
so often traversed, to the church where he
worshipped in Alexandria, the home OF his
stepson, and the city which he founded.
Every foot OF the route will not only be
historic, but will teach the history of the
states, and the great men who helped tC
make them.
As the years roll on Mount Vernon ave
Lue will become more celebrated than the
Appian Way, for, though 1t would have nc
tIiumphal arches to celebrate the triumph;
of Titus or Serverus and no Praetoriar
camp, 1t would be embellished by score:
ard hundreds Of handsome pieces of statu
ary contributed by states and patriotic citI
Zens, and either side would be lined with
handsome residences the entire distance.
The citizens Of Washington should take
an active interest in this work, so that there
will be no delay in securing the necessary
surveys, rights Of way, and such legislation
from the state Of Virginia as may be need
full to enable the association to complete
the avenue within reasonable time.
This grand project requires proper organi
Zation on the part Of the people to insure
its completion In every detail, as suggested
in this article. We have received letter!
frcm many public spirited citizens strongly
ccmmendng the project. Some of them
favor Washington as the point for tho first
meeting, but as the citizens OF Alexandrla
have named the time and place we earnestly y
recommend that every person who takes au
interest in the success of the movement
should attend the meeting at the city o,
Alexandria for organization on the 10Th In
stGIt.
Posing, as this avenue will, along thu
banks Of the grand and beautiful Potomac
through scenery as varied and changing n
any in the world, the river will furnish bl
its current force, In addition TO this scenery
the power that will light the grand avenue
by electricity and give to it the play o
beautiful fountains. The sentiment OF pa
triotism, pride, and gratitude are the motive
power for this work, and It only needs
proper organization to make It complete
success.